Matthew 21:9-11
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  (Psalm 118:25,26) “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Today is Palm Sunday.
About 2600 years ago, Prophet Zechariah prophesied how Jesus would come to Jerusalem (Zech. 9:9.) He said, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!  Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, humbly riding on a little donkey.”

1. The Palm Sunday is the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a small donkey.

As he prophesied, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a little donkey on the Palm Sunday. People put their clothes on the road, and waved the palm branch. And shouted, “Hosanna!! Hosanna!!  Son of David!! Blessed is the King of Israel!!” People were rejoicing and dancing in the street. They were so excited because their most powerful King was coming to the town.

The people welcomed Jesus like the people welcome Santa Clause on Christmas Eve.

On a snowy Christmas day, suddenly, you could hear the jingle bells. Jingle, jingle, jingle.. Now, what? Wow!!! The Santa Clause came to town. People and children would rush out on the street and shout with joy, and dance on the street!!!

“Santa Clause!!!  Santa Clause!!!”

The Palm Sunday was just like that. People and all children came out on the street and shouted Hosanna!!! Hosanna!!! Hosanna!!!
We celebrate the same Palm Sunday today. Our children distributed the Palm leaves. Can we have the same excitement at that time? Let’s shout with joy!   Hosanna!!! Hosanna!!!

2. What is ‘Hosanna?’

Original meaning: (Hebrew) Yasha + Na = Deliver/Save + We pray now (Please save us now!) However, in Jesus time, the meaning was changed. People used it for ‘shouting of happiness.’   (Wow!!! Praise God!!!)

3. The real meaning of the Palm Sunday

- Jesus entered Jerusalem to die on the cross.
It was near Passover. He was there as a sacrifice for the Passover to cleanse our sins. God told Israelite to sacrifice a lamb to protect them from the death. Because He was sacrificed on the cross, we can ask for the forgiveness of our sins in the name of Jesus.

- He was humble enough to ride on a young donkey compare to a warhorse.
At the same time, this donkey was used by the royal family. That means, He is God, but He came to earth as an ordinary humble man. However, He demonstrated that He had the authority from the Father God. And He is God.

- People welcomed Him as the King of Israel
On Palm Sunday, People welcomed Jesus as the King of Israel. Because Jesus performed many miracles. People saw what Jesus did for the people. If we believe, He still can do it for us. That’s faith. When we became helpless, it’s time to pray and ask to our King for His mercy.

- It resembles our day of entering the Heaven
After we complete the journey in this world, we will go to heaven. Then, the angels would welcome us, and our LORD and other brothers and sisters would welcome us. Praise God!! Hosanna, Jesus!!!

- Finally, who can go to Heaven with Christ?
Anyone, who confesses his or her sins and accepts Jesus Christ as the Savior. Today is also a special day. Three of us are going to get baptized. They confessed their faith in Christ and are going to proclaim their faith in Christ to the congregation. Hosanna!  I am so happy for them!!!

Now, I would like to ask you, what would you do.
If He comes to our church or our town today, what would you do? Would you welcome Jesus and praise Him “Hosanna?”

Or, you just want to turn away and say, “Who is this man? I don’t know Him.”

I hope you can welcome Him and shout with joy, “Hosanna!!!”